Altach considers action over alleged Massombo approach

SCR Altach is considering further steps after Sturm Graz coach Fabio Ingolitsch acknowledged speaking to Altach player Yann Massombo about a possible transfer, ORF Vorarlberg reported. Altach says Sturm had not submitted an official request for talks.

Sturm Graz beat Altach 1-0 at home on Saturday, but the match was overshadowed by the dispute over Massombo. The 26-year-old refused to travel to Graz after Friday’s final training session, telling Altach officials that he wanted to change clubs, according to sporting director Philipp Netzer.

Massombo has played for Altach since last summer and is under contract until summer 2027. The agreement also includes an option for a further year, the club said in a statement on Sunday.

Under the applicable rules, clubs may not negotiate with players who have more than six months remaining on their contracts without permission from the player’s current club. Altach said it had received no official request from Sturm. Any transfer would therefore require the two clubs to negotiate.

Ingolitsch, a former Altach coach, confirmed that he had spoken to Massombo. He said he had held talks with many players about possible transfers and described the contact as part of a normal process.

“I think no transfer in the world will happen if a player does not speak to a coach,” Ingolitsch said. He also argued that it was unrealistic to claim that clubs never speak directly to players.

Altach said Ingolitsch’s comments confirmed that Sturm had contacted Massombo. The club added that further facts supported this conclusion and said it was examining possible next steps, including how to deal with the player under employment law.

Altach coach Ognjen Zaric criticised the contact, which he said had taken place one day before the match and in the presence of other players. He said respect, ethics and morality were important among coaches and that clubs had to follow the rules.

“The SCR Altach is the biggest loser in this whole story,” Zaric said, calling for the events to be investigated.

The other Vorarlberg club in the top-flight football league, Lustenau, meanwhile recorded its first win since promotion and moved above Altach in the standings.